Jacopo Pausa is a twenty-one-year-old singer/ guitarist, hailing from Italy. Pausa first was inspired by Mark Knopfler ( Dire Straits) to pick up the instrument at the age of Seven. The musician exhibits some of the characteristics of the much-revered guitarist in his songwriting approach and fingerpicking technique. He has recorded and self-produced his first album, a collection of Nine tracks based on real facts, called " The Truth", which was published in December of last year.
The album showcases a mixture of well-crafted blues numbers, folk songs, and dreamy pop that is as thought-provoking; as it is easy to listen to. Pausa recorded this album himself at ML Produzioni studios in Milan. The musician was able to achieve this in two months with a broken pinkie, which makes it more remarkable. The album combines texture and differing mood changes, along with Pausa's reflective tones, and intelligent lyrics to produce an underrated record, that promises so much more.
Opener " Wild North" is an optimistic start that combines sweet melodies with the effortless ability of the guitar to pick notes at a mid-tempo with such a tight rhythm to evoke an emotional response from the singer, which builds to a searing guitar solo that ignites memories of electric blues guitarists like Knopfler and Clapton. Pausa himself shows a knack for writing a stripped-back blues track that doesn't heavily rely on flashy guitar play, but a basic structure to when the listener in
THE TRUTH drifts through upbeat pop tracks before That's Not Easy, another powerful track that looks at struggles with what I perceive about judgment. This roots blue track has a slick slide guitar riff with excellent phrasing that builds to a satisfactory finish. Pausa's songwriting improves with each track as he can add different touches to his music.
Underwear is a fun track with some shuffle blues with a good ol' rock 'n' roll feel ala George Thorogood. The blazing keyboards act as a welcome accompaniment to Pausa's vocals, which really mature on this song, as it suits his more laid-back demeanour; as opposed to more feel-good pop ones.
Memories is an enchanting track full of melodies and reminiscences. The singer talks about a childhood that really comes to life here. This folk ballad's syncopated rhythms and guitar fill between verses leave the listener thinking of their own past. Pausa's father adds a nice touch at the end with a harmonica instrumental passage that evokes memories ( excuse the pun) of Bob Dylan.
The Title track is a more melancholic affair with further tales of a young man working through poverty to achieve a dream. Pausa's vocals are intimate while showing talent as a great storyteller, as he opens up about those said struggles. The lyricist can achieve this through the overall textures and tones that feel personal, which invites the listener to share his woes.
Mad World closes with the vocalist sharing duties with his mother. This folk track has the seventies feel with each verse trading off one another. Pausa's fingerpicking and basic chord progressions is a fitting end to an album that feels like a biographical insight into a musician's mind and life. The track compares the love of a family inside a manic world we have inhabited.
Overall, I felt The Truth was a welcome surprise to my email account. The songs are a mixture, of love, sadness, happiness and hope from a musician with an innate ear to detail and an ability to tell stories through well-crafted musicianship and storytelling
. I would give this a listen when you have time. Pausa has the potential to produce more albums like this one
THE TRUTH was released on December 27th, 2019 and is available via all good music platforms, including Spotify.
THE TRUTH You can hear the album via the link here.
You can find out more information about the artist by following these social media accounts below;
https://www.facebook.com/jacopopausa/
https://twitter.com/jacopopausa
https://www.instagram.com/jacopopausa/?hl=en
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